Patent Application
20230248184
The present invention relates generally to the field of shower caddies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shower caddy device primarily comprised of a body further comprised of a first rod and a second rod, wherein at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly are attached to the first rod and/or second rod. The first rod and second rod are further comprised of an end cap. The outer surface of each rod and each end cap may further be comprised of at least one fastener that allows the device to be secured to at least one, but preferably three walls of a shower. The at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly of the device, further allow the device to store a plurality of toiletries while being adequately supported by the fasteners of the device. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Many items such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, etc., are stored in a shower. However, in showers used by more than one person said items may accumulate and clutter the shower, leaving it disorganized and messy. This provides an undesirable appearance and also hinders an individual's ability to quickly locate their desired item within a shower. As a result, many individuals hang shower caddies from their shower curtain rod or shower head. However, if too many items or too many shower caddies are hung from a shower curtain rod or shower head, the rod or head may collapse and break due to the weight of the shower caddy(ies) and items stored within them. This, in turn, spills the contents of the caddy(ies) throughout the shower, which then must be cleaned up.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved means of hanging shower caddies within a shower. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shower caddy device that is specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shower caddy device that is specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies without collapsing.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a shower caddy device. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of a first rod and a second rod, wherein at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly are attached to the first rod and/or second rod. The first rod and second rod are further comprised of an end cap. The outer surface of each rod and each end cap may further be comprised of at least one fastener that allows the device to be secured to at least one, but preferably three walls of a shower. The at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly of the device further allow the device to store a plurality of toiletries while being adequately supported by the fasteners of the device.
In this manner, the shower caddy device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved means of hanging shower caddies within a shower via a device specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies. Furthermore, the device can support a plurality of shower caddies without collapsing. Therefore, the device is superior to existing shower curtain rods and methods of hanging shower caddies known in the art.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a shower caddy device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of a first rod and a second rod, wherein at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly are attached to the first rod and/or second rod. The device and all components are preferably manufactured from an anti-corrosive metal such as stainless steel or treated aluminum. Alternatively, the device and all components may be manufactured from a rigid plastic. Furthermore, all components of the device may have an anti-mold, anti-mildew, and/or anti-bacterial coating.
The first rod and second rod are both preferably cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal in shape and wherein the first rod fits inside of the second rod such that the length of the device is adjustable. In order to lock the device at a specific length, the first rod can be pulled outwards from inside the second rod and secured at a fixed length using at least one locking mechanism of the device. The first rod and second rod are each further comprised of a rubber end cap that may further be comprised of at least one fastener that allows each cap to be secured to each wall of a shower.
In one embodiment, the outer surface of the first rod is further comprised of at least one shower caddy assembly that has at least one, but preferably two vertical caddy hooks that are fixedly or removably attached to the outer surface of the first rod. The hooks extend away from the first rod in the vertical plane, wherein at least one basket is further fixedly or removably attached between both hooks. The basket can be used to store various toiletries and may further be comprised of at least one fastener that allows the basket to adhere to a shower wall for additional support. The hooks continue below the basket and are joined by a horizontal crossmember that is further comprised of at least one secondary hook that can also receive toiletries. The outer surface of the second rod is further comprised of at least one hook that may be fixedly or removably attached to the outer surface, wherein the hook can receive toiletries.
It should be noted that the device is not also intended to be used to hold a shower curtain, but instead can be placed within a shower such that the device contacts at least one wall of the shower. Although, in the preferred embodiment, the device contacts three walls (rear and both sidewalls) of a shower.
Accordingly, the shower caddy device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved means of hanging shower caddies within a shower via a device specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies. Furthermore, the device can support a plurality of shower caddies without collapsing due to multiple points of contact with a shower wall. In this manner, the shower caddy device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of hanging shower caddies within a shower known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved means of hanging shower caddies within a shower. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shower caddy device that is specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies. Furthermore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a shower caddy device that is specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies without collapsing.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a shower caddy device primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of a first rod and a second rod, wherein at least one hook and at least one shower caddy assembly are attached to the first rod and/or second rod. The device and all components are preferably manufactured from an anti-corrosive metal such as stainless steel or treated aluminum, or from a rigid plastic. Furthermore, all components of the device may have an anti-mold, anti-mildew, and/or anti-bacterial coating.
The first rod and second rod are both preferably cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal in shape. The first rod fits inside of the second rod such that the length of the device is adjustable. In order to lock the device at a specific length, the first rod can be pulled outwards from inside the second rod and secured at a fixed length using at least one locking mechanism of the device. The first rod and second rod are each further comprised of a rubber end cap. Each end cap may further be comprised of at least one fastener that further in securing each cap to each wall of a shower.
In one exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the first rod is further comprised of at least one shower caddy assembly that has at least one, but preferably two vertical caddy hooks that are fixedly or removably attached to the outer surface. The hooks extend away from the first rod in the vertical plane, wherein at least one basket is further fixedly or removably attached between both hooks. The basket can be used to store various toiletries and may further be comprised of at least one fastener that allows the basket to adhere to a shower wall for additional support. The hooks continue below the basket and are joined by a horizontal crossmember that is further comprised of at least one secondary hook that can receive toiletries. The outer surface of the second rod is further comprised of at least one hook that may be fixedly or removably attached to the outer surface, wherein the hook can further receive toiletries.
During use, the device can be placed within a shower such that the device contacts at least one walls of the shower. Although, in the preferred embodiment, the device contacts three walls (rear and both sidewalls) of a shower.
Accordingly, the shower caddy device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved means of hanging shower caddies within a shower via a device specifically designed to support a plurality of shower caddies. Furthermore, the device can support a plurality of shower caddies without collapsing due to multiple points of contact with a shower wall. In this manner, the shower caddy device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of hanging shower caddies within a shower known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first rod 120 and second rod 160 are both preferably cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal, or polygonal in shape and wherein the first rod 120 fits inside of the second rod 160. In this manner, the device 100 is adjustable in length to fit a variety of shower sizes. In order to lock the device 100 at a specific length, the first rod 120 can be pulled outwards from inside the second rod 160. Then, at least one locking mechanism 170 connected to both rods 120,160 can be activated to lock the device 100 at said fixed length. In differing embodiments, the locking mechanism 170 can include, but is not limited to: a twisting locking mechanism, a pull tab locking mechanism, a magnetic locking mechanism, a tongue and groove locking mechanism, etc. The first rod 120 and second rod 160 are each further comprised of a rubber end cap 122,162 that contacts a shower wall 10. The rubber material of each cap 122,162 promotes grip with the wall 10 to allow the device 100 to remain suspended. In one embodiment, each cap 122,162 may further be comprised of at least one fastener 190 that further aids in securing each cap 122,162 to each wall 10 of a shower. Said fasteners 190 include, but are not limited to: suction cup, adhesive, magnetic, etc. In addition, said fasteners 190 may also be present on the outer surfaces 130,164 of both rods 120,160 in order to allow the rods 120,160 to adhere to at least one shower wall 10 for additional support. It should further be appreciated that all components and structures mentioned in this specification may be found on either or both of the first rod 120 and/or second rod 160 in differing embodiments of the device 100.
In one embodiment, the outer surface 130 of the first rod 120 is further comprised of at least one shower caddy assembly 131. The shower caddy assembly 131 is comprised of at least one, but preferably two vertical caddy hooks 132 that are fixedly (i.e., integrally formed) or removably attached (via at least one continuous opening 192) to the outer surface 130. The hooks 132 extend away from the first rod 120 in the vertical plane. At least one basket 140 is further fixedly or removably attached between both hooks 132. The basket 140 can be used to store various toiletries 12 such as, but not limited to: shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, sponges, loofahs, etc. The basket 140 may further be comprised of at least one fastener 142 such as, but not limited to: suction cup, magnetic, adhesive, etc. that allows the basket 140 to adhere to a shower wall 10 for additional support, as seen in
The outer surface 164 of the second rod 160 is further comprised of at least one hook 166. Said hook 166 may be fixedly (i.e., integrally formed) or removably attached (via at least one continuous opening 192) to the outer surface 164. The hook 166 can further receive toiletries 12 such as, but not limited to: washcloths, loofahs, scrubbers, exfoliators, etc.
It should be noted that the device 100 is not intended to be used to hold a shower curtain. Instead, the device 100 can be placed within a shower such that the device 100 contacts at least one wall 10 of the shower. Although, in the preferred embodiment, the device 100 contacts three walls 10 (rear and both sidewalls) of a shower.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “shower caddy device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the shower caddy device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the shower caddy device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the shower caddy device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the shower caddy device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the shower caddy device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the shower caddy device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/306,625, which was filed on Feb. 4, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63306625 | Feb 2022 | US |
